“If money and morals were no obstacle, what kind of car would you drive?”
The world of missions introduces you to some fascinating people and over the years we’ve had the privilege of hosting brothers and sisters from all around the world. In order to engage the kids when they were young, we designed some questions for our guests that would also appeal to them. Thus, “… what kind of car would you drive?”
The most original answer (taking the absence of morality to an extreme) was, “An obnoxiously large limousine fitted out with a baby seal skin interior”.
Whether they’re a ‘tool’ or a ‘toy’, most people have a favourite car. And most people have a car story: the best car, the worst car, the fastest and – of course – the day it broke down or ran out of fuel.
There’s nothing quite as humbling as pushing a car or even rolling in a car until the momentum finally stops and you’re left there to contemplate the wasted potential.
Christian living is about being fuelled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)
With unlimited power available to us for the christian life, it’s hard to imagine why we would ever push (strive) or roll (cruise). Yet, when the posture of worship is lost – no matter the importance of what we’re doing – we simply become a ‘holy roller’.
Here’s what A.W.Tozer says,
“God wants worshipers before workers; indeed the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the lost art of worship. It is inconceivable that a sovereign and holy God should be so hard up for workers that he would press into service anyone who had been empowered regardless of his moral qualifications. The very stones would praise Him if the need arose and a thousand legions of angels would leap to His will. Gifts and power for service the Spirit surely desires to impart; but holiness and spiritual worship come first.” (A.W. Tozer, “That incredible Christian”)
Whilst we can worship God through our work, not all work is worship.
What are you facing at the moment? Hardship or ease, temptation or the mundane, loneliness or busyness, opportunity or disappointment? Whatever it is, ask yourself this, “Why roll?”. Turn to God now in worship and experience the unlimited power of heaven!
“18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV)